Awake Craniotomy

Your surgeon will have to perform an Awake Craniotomy to operate on a part of your brain that is affected by a lesion or tumour that involves, or is close to, regions that control critical body functions or your sensory and linguistic capabilities.

It is essential for you to be conscious for the entire procedure so that your surgeon can monitor vital functions during the operation. Although you will be awake, you will not feel any discomfort because a local anaesthetic is applied to fully numb the area.

Your surgeon will accurately map out the critical regions of your brain so as to minimise the risk of damaging these important areas. Our surgical team will then remove a part of your skull to access the brain. During this stage of the procedure, you may be guided through a series of instructions or asked to respond to questions.

Communication with your surgeon is crucial for the team to assess the effectiveness of the surgery as it is progressing, and to ensure that important functions are not compromised.

Our team of experts, including brain surgeons, neurologists, anaesthetists and speech specialists, will assess your suitability for Awake Craniotomy. If the surgery involves delicate structures of the brain such as the nerves, veins or arteries, or is close to regions of the brain that regulate important body functions or affect your sensory processing or linguistic abilities, then Awake Craniotomy will be the recommended option.

This procedure is especially beneficial in cases such as Parkinson’s Disease or Epilepsy, where the team can test immediately during the operation for improvements in motor functions or control of seizures.

Awake Craniotomy may also be used to accurately diagnose the type of brain tumour you have, and to remove or treat tumours located within critical regions of the brain that may otherwise be considered inoperable due to the risk involved in damaging the brain.

Your goal of getting swift, accurate and effective treatment is our strength. Our skilled team of specialists and staff operate at Mount Elizabeth Orchard and Mount Elizabeth Novena – both award-winning hospitals with advanced technology and modern facilities. Take your first step towards better health today, and experience the high-quality, customised healthcare that has made us one of the leading medical institutions in Asia-Pacific.